Buffalo mayoral primary pits business community against party headquarters

The City of Buffalo’s 2025 mayoral primary election is scheduled for June 24, 2025, with the general election to follow on November 4, 2025.  The election follows the resignation of longtime Mayor Byron Brown in October 2024, who left to become president and CEO of Western Regional Off-Track Betting.

The primary is shaping up to be a competitive race, with several candidates vying for the Democratic nomination in a city where the Democratic primary often determines the general election outcome due to Buffalo’s strong Democratic lean.

Increasingly, the election is seen as a contest between Acting Mayor Christopher Scanlon and State Senator Sean Ryan.

The City of Buffalo has a heavy voter enrollment advantage for Democrats, making the June 24 primary the de facto election. The winner will likely face minimal opposition in November, though Republican James Gardner has been endorsed by the Erie County Republican Committee.

Historical data shows turnout varies widely (23,018 in 2013 to 43,742 in 2009), with the Delaware and South Districts consistently high. Candidates must mobilize their bases — with Scanlon in South Buffalo and Ryan in the Delaware District — to win.  North Buffalo and Riverside are expected to be battlegrounds.

Former Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield and non-profit founder Micheal Gainer have substantial support on the East Side, with Councilman Rasheed Wyatt having a small but robust base of support in his University District.

Candidates needed 2,000 valid signatures by April 3, 2025. Scanlon’s 7,565 signatures give him a cushion, but others face potential legal challenges that could narrow the field.  It’s unclear whether Anthony Tyson-Thompson, an Eastside activist and political newcomer, will make the ballot.

Ryan is a close longtime ally of Erie County Democratic Party headquarters and its Chairman Jeremy Zellner and, as expected, he enjoys the Executive Committee’s endorsement.  The Erie County Democratic Party organization is widely seen by Western New York voters as an arm of New York City’s left-leaning political machine — which has historically fought for control of the City of Buffalo from afar.

Scanlon enjoys strong support from Buffalo’s business community and is widely seen as the candidate who is most supportive of real estate development projects that are changing the face of the City.  He is backed by local real estate developers who have been driving the City’s economic revival in recent years, and who see Ryan’s leftist policy approaches as a threat to the City’s economic revival.

Union support — which has historically played a significant role in city elections — is split.  While Scanlon has the backing of police and fire unions, Ryan has been endorsed by SEIU and the Working Families Party.

Both Scanlon and Ryan have raised about $500,000 each, dwarfing Wyatt, Whitfield, and Gainer, whose campaigns have thus far struggled financially.

Local development versus downstate political bosses 

Many longtime political observers argue that the primary pits the local business community against downstate political bosses.  Scanlon leads a political organization that has been at odds with Erie County Democratic headquarters, and by extension, the party power structure based in New York City, for many decades.

Ryan, on the other hand, has close ties to New York City powerbrokers garnered largely through his roles in the State Assembly and State Senate.  His critics argue that he is beholden to that party power structure in ways that Scanlon is not.  They fear that a Ryan administration would pursue the types of policy reforms that have caused crime to skyrocket in New York City, precipitating a rapid deterioration in the quality of life its neighborhoods.

Scanlon’s incumbency and South Buffalo machine give him an edge, but his ties to Brown may alienate voters seeking change.  He is the son of a legendary South Buffalo civic leader who served as former Mayor Jimmy Griffin‘s principal confidant.

Ryan’s party endorsement and fundraising make him a frontrunner, but he must broaden his appeal beyond his Delaware District base.  North Buffalo will be a key battleground.

While Whitfield and Gainer offer compelling East Side narratives, they face uphill battles without resources. Wyatt’s local base is strong in the University District but lacks citywide traction.

Major issues — budget woes, housing, safety, poverty, and infrastructure —demand detailed plans in a City that is far more used to platitudes.  Voters appear frustrated with Buffalo’s challenges, as seen in past upsets like India Walton’s 2021 primary win.  The candidate who best articulates a vision for fiscal stability, inclusive growth, and community trust will likely prevail in this crowded, high-stakes race.

Mayor Christopher Scanlon

Christopher Scanlon has served as Acting Mayor since October 2024, following Brown’s resignation.  Scanlon is a South Buffalo native who served as Common Council President and represented the South District since 2011.

Scanlon was instrumental in Brown’s 2021 write-in campaign victory, mobilizing South Buffalo voters.

Born in 1980 in Buffalo, New York, Scanlon is a lifelong South Buffalonian.  He grew up in a working-class family, with his father a steelworker and his mother a teacher.  He graduated from Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Buffalo State College.

In 2011, at age 31, he was appointed to fill former Councilman Micky Kearns’ council seat after Kearns’ election to the New York State Assembly.  Scanlon won election to the South District seat in 2012.  In 2019, he was elected Common Council President, a role that positioned him to oversee council operations and to succeed Mayor Brown.

As Council President, Scanlon focused on fiscal oversight, helping to close budget deficits without major tax hikes.  He built strong ties with police and fire unions, real estate developers, and Brown’s political network.  His policy priorities include public safety, infrastructure improvements, and economic development, with a desire to accommodate developer-driven projects.

As mayor, he has proposed a 10% departmental spending cut to address a looming budget deficit and continued Brown-era development policies.  He has fundraised over $564,000 since July 2024.

• Fiscal Management: Scanlon emphasizes his intimate knowledge of Buffalo’s budget, having served on the Common Council for over a decade. He has proposed a 10% reduction in departmental spending to address the city’s looming budget deficit and claims recent success in closing deficits without major tax hikes. He criticizes opponents for political theatrics, advocating for collaborative solutions.
• Public Safety: Scanlon has strong support from police and fire unions, reflecting his focus on delivering strong public safety services.
• Development: As acting mayor, he has continued Brown-era policies favoring development, drawing support from real estate developers and city contractors. However, his plan to sell city-owned parking ramps has been criticized by some as a one-time fix.
• Strengths: Scanlon benefits from quasi-incumbent status, name recognition, and a strong South Buffalo base. His campaign has raised over $564,000 since July 2024, with significant contributions from Brown’s donor network. He filed 7,565 petition signatures, the highest among candidates, indicating strong organizational support.
• Challenges: Critics, including other councilmembers, tie him closely to Brown’s administration, which some voters associate with stagnation.  The city’s budget woes could undermine his incumbency advantage if unpopular measures are needed.

Senator Sean Ryan

Sean Ryan was born in 1965 in Buffalo, New York and has served as State Senator representing New York’s 61st District, which includes parts of Buffalo and Erie County, since 2020.  A lifelong Buffalonian, Ryan grew up in the city and graduated from St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute.  He earned a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Fredonia and a law degree from Brooklyn Law School.

Ryan began his career as a lawyer, focusing on housing and tenant rights.  He worked as an attorney for Neighborhood Legal Services in Buffalo, advocating for low-income residents.  He later served as executive director of Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME), a fair housing organization and legal clinic. His early work centered on combating housing discrimination and promoting affordable housing.

Ryan entered elected office in 2011, winning a seat in the New York State Assembly, representing the 149th District, where he served until 2020.  As an Assemblyman, he championed progressive causes including tenant protections, environmental justice measures, and increases in education funding.  He gained attention for sponsoring legislation to strengthen New York’s rent laws.

In 2020, Ryan won a competitive State Senate race against Republican Joshua Mertzlufft, succeeding Senator Timothy Kennedy.  As a Senator, he has prioritized housing affordability, introducing bills that appropriated $40 million to build homes and rehabilitate rentals in upstate cities like Buffalo.  Ryan focuses on education, waterfront development, and fiscal transparency, calling for a state audit of Buffalo’s finances.

• Fiscal Transparency: Ryan describes Buffalo’s finances as a “foundering ship” and has been demanding a full financial audit by the New York State Comptroller’s office. He aims to eliminate wasteful spending through a review of city departments.
• Housing: Ryan has championed housing affordability, introducing legislation for $40 million to build one- and two-family homes and $40 million for affordable rental rehabilitation in Buffalo and other upstate cities.  He opposed a Common Council resolution supporting similar housing initiatives, citing concerns over specifics, which drew criticism.
• Education: Although the city does not directly control Buffalo Public Schools, Ryan vows to use mayoral influence to shape education policy, prioritizing school funding and childcare.
• Accessibility: He proposes making City Hall more welcoming by removing armed guards and magnetometers at entrances and eliminating the police officer post at the mayor’s office door.
• Strengths: Ryan’s endorsement by the Erie County Democratic Committee provides access to party resources and “foot soldiers.” His campaign has raised about $500,000, drawing from labor unions, lawyers, and party coffers. He has a strong base in the Delaware District.  He filed 3,605 petition signatures.
• Challenges: Critics, including Scanlon, argue Ryan could do more as a state senator to secure state aid for Buffalo.  They argue that Ryan has not been an effective legislator, lacking influence in the chamber and the party’s governing caucus, unable to deliver substantial resources to the city.

Garnell Whitfield

The tragic loss of his mother profoundly shaped his path.  Since then, he has advocated for social justice, focusing on combating white supremacy and domestic terrorism, gaining national attention for his efforts.  This personal tragedy, coupled with a desire to address systemic issues like disenfranchisement and underinvestment in Buffalo’s East Side, motivates his mayoral candidacy, which he announced in December 2024 at Durham Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church.

Whitfield emphasizes the need to revitalize underserved neighborhoods, improve city finances, ensure safe streets, and expand access to opportunities like affordable housing and healthy food.  He critiques the status quo, advocating for leadership that unites Buffalo’s diverse communities.  He opened his campaign headquarters on Fillmore Avenue in February 2025, signaling a grassroots approach.

Whitfield resides on Buffalo’s East Side with his wife, Cassieta

• Public Safety and Health: Whitfield campaigns on leveraging his experience as Fire Commissioner and his advocacy work. He emphasizes community-based approaches to violence prevention.
• Housing: He supports affordable housing initiatives, including investment in the city’s public housing.
• Fiscal Policy: Whitfield advocates for transparent budgeting and a progressive tax structure.  He also wants to incentivize city employee residency to grow the tax base.
• Strengths: Whitfield has strong standing on Buffalo’s East Side, a key voting bloc, and his national profile on gun violence brings a sense of moral authority.  He filed 4,315 petition signatures, the second-highest total, showing significant grassroots support.
• Challenges: As a political newcomer, Whitfield lacks the campaign infrastructure of Scanlon and Ryan.  His fundraising lags significantly, and he faces challenges to his petitions.  The Board of Elections will evaluate whether he has secured the required 2,000 valid signatures.

Rasheed Wyatt

Rasheed N.C. Wyatt, born in Buffalo, New York, is a long-serving member of the Buffalo Common Council, representing the University District since his appointment in 2014.  Growing up on the city’s East Side, Wyatt never met his father, Private Norman Wyatt, a Buffalo native who died in military service in 1963.  Raised hearing stories of his father’s character, Wyatt has centered his career on community service.

Wyatt earned an Associate of Applied Science in accounting from Kensington Business Institute in 1986, a Bachelor of Science in business resource development from Medaille College in 1989, and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Medaille.  He spent 15 years in banking, starting at HSBC (formerly Marine Midland), where he held roles in mortgage servicing, real estate accounting, credit risk management, commercial banking, and finance.

Later, he served as the first Chief Financial Officer for the Community Health Center of Buffalo, developing its financial and billing infrastructure while also handling public relations.

Before joining the Common Council, Wyatt held roles outside Buffalo, including Deputy Commissioner of Business Compliance Audit for the City of Newport News, Virginia from 2006 to 2008, where he developed an audit plan that saved the city $1.5 million.  He also served as executive director and board chairman of Stepping Stone Academy Charter School in Buffalo from 2000 to 2004, and briefly as chief of staff for the Buffalo Common Council in 2013.

As Councilman, Wyatt has been known for critiquing the Brown administration, particularly on financial management.  Wyatt chairs the Finance Committee and Minority Women’s Business Enterprise Task Force, and serves on several other council committees, including Civil Service and Community Development.

His initiatives include securing funds for Bailey Avenue’s commercial corridor, improving parks, and pushing for better food store licensing processes to give residents a voice in local business decisions.

In December 2024, Wyatt announced his candidacy for Buffalo mayor in the 2025 election, emphasizing accountability, open governance, and prioritizing marginalized communities.  He launched his campaign at The Bean Coffee Shop on Hertel Avenue, pledging to address systemic issues like housing inspections and public health concerns.

• Community Development: Wyatt focuses on improving city services and infrastructure in underserved areas, particularly the University District, which has above-average primary turnout.
• Economic Equity: He advocates for policies addressing poverty and economic disparities, though concrete plans are not widely detailed.
• Strengths: Wyatt benefits from name recognition in the University District, a high-turnout area in past primaries.  He filed over 3,800 petition signatures, indicating a solid local base of support.
• Challenges: His campaign has raised only about $10,000, far less than Scanlon and Ryan, limiting his ability to compete citywide. His lack of a broader donor base and detailed platform may hinder his momentum.

Michael Gainer

Michael Gainer was born in 1973 and is a Buffalo, New York-based community activist, social entrepreneur, and founder of Buffalo ReUse, a nonprofit focused on sustainable community development, and a prominent East Side advocate.  Gainer is a carpenter by trade and has been active in East Side community groups like the Greater Jefferson Avenue Business Association.

Originally from Boston, Gainer moved to Buffalo in 2005 as a skilled carpenter.  His work has since focused on sustainable deconstruction, youth mentorship, and East Side revitalization, earning him recognition as a transformative figure in the city’s community development.

In 2007, Gainer founded Buffalo ReUse, dedicated to green demolition and salvaging building materials.  The program has created job training opportunities, particularly for at-risk youth.  Under his leadership, Buffalo ReUse expanded from a salvage operation to a community hub, launching programs like vacant lot stabilization and urban gardening.  The organization gained national attention, featured in outlets like The New York Times Magazine and Dwell, and Gainer received an Echoing Green Fellowship in 2007 for social innovation.  However, his tenure was turbulent; he was fired from Buffalo ReUse in 2009 and again in 2022 due to conflicts with the board over management and vision, though he was reinstated briefly each time.

In 2015, he co-founded ReUse Action, a for-profit deconstruction contractor, where he serves as president, continuing his focus on recycling materials and mentoring young adults through pre-apprenticeship programs.

As a member of the East Side Parkways Coalition, he has opposed projects like the Kensington Expressway tunnel, advocating for community-driven development. His mayoral campaign, announced on January 22, 2025, emphasizes equitable growth, local hiring, small business support, and transforming vacant properties into community assets.

Gainer highlights his outsider status, calling himself a “doer, not a politician,” and aims to address Buffalo’s structural poverty and disinvestment, particularly on the East Side.

• Community Assets: Gainer proposes transforming vacant lots into community assets like pocket parks, playgrounds, and composting programs. He emphasizes greening the East Side with more trees and sustainable initiatives.
• Infrastructure: He opposes the $1 billion Kensington Expressway project, advocating instead for the revitalization of Humboldt Parkway to restore community connectivity.
• Budget Priorities: Gainer acknowledges the city’s budget deficit and frames his proposals as practical choices to enhance the quality of life without overextending finances.
• Strengths: Gainer has a dedicated East Side base and appeals to voters prioritizing sustainability and community-led development.
• Challenges: Like Whitfield, Gainer lacks electoral experience and a robust campaign infrastructure. His fundraising and citywide name recognition are limited, which may cap his competitiveness.